Microstructural Aspects of Irradiation Damage in A508 Gr 4N Forging Steel: Composition and Flux Effects Page: 2 of 16
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Mary Grace Burke, Raymond J. Stofanak, Jonathan M. Hyde,2 Colin A. English and
William L. Server3
Microstructural Aspects of Irradiation Damage in A508 Gr 4N Forging Steel:
Composition & Flux Effects
Burke, M. G., Stofanak, R. J., Hyde, J. M., English, C. A., Server, W. L.,
"Microstructural Aspects of Irradiation Damage in A508 Gr 4N Forging Steel:
Composition & Flux Effects," Effects of Radiation on Materials, ASTM STP 1447, M.
L. Grossbeck and R. G. Lott, Eds., American Society for Testing and Materials, West
Conshohocken, PA 2002.
Abstract: Neutron irradiation can promote significant changes in the microstructure and
associated mechanical properties of low alloy steels. In particular, irradiation can induce
the formation of non-equilibrium phases and segregation, which may lead to a
degradation in toughness. In this study, the microstructural changes caused by neutron
irradiation have been characterized in A508 Grade (Gr) 4N-type steels (-3.5% Ni) using
a variety of state-of-the-art analytical techniques including 3D-Atom Probe Field-Ion
Microscopy and Small Angle Neutron Scattering, along with post-irradiation annealing
studies combining Positron Annihilation Lineshape Analysis and hardness measurements.
Important differences between conventional and "superclean" A508 Gr 4N steel have
been identified in this investigation. The data indicate that Ni is not the controlling factor
in the irradiation damage behavior of these materials; rather, the Mn content of the steel
is a dominant factor in the irradiation-induced microstructural development of solute-
related hardening features.
Keywords: Irradiation damage, atom probe field-ion microscopy, small angle neutron
scattering, positron annihilation, post-irradiation annealing, Ni effects, Mn effects, solute-
related hardening, A508 Gr 4N steel.
Introduction
Considerable research into the area of irradiation damage behavior of low alloy
steel has focused on the significant role of alloy composition in controlling the irradiation
damage behavior of the material. Numerous empirical studies have been performed to
determine the role of various solutes such as Cu, Ni, and P in the irradiation-induced
embrittlement of low alloy steels and welds.[1-6] This embrittlement is manifested in an
increase in the Charpy ductile-to-brittle transition temperatures and a decrease in the
Charpy upper shelf energy of the steel, and is associated with an increase in hardness of
'Advisory Scientist and Senior Engineer, respectively, Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, West
Mifflin, PA 15122
2 Team Leader and Consultant, respectively, AEA Technology, Didcot, OX., UK
'President, ATI Consulting, Pinehurst, NC
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Burke, M. G.; Stofanak, R. J.; Hyde, J. M.; English, C. A. & Server, W. L. Microstructural Aspects of Irradiation Damage in A508 Gr 4N Forging Steel: Composition and Flux Effects, article, October 9, 2002; United States. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc784965/m1/2/: accessed March 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.